Why is white gold jewelry always rhodium plated?”
White gold is an alloy of gold and at least one white metal, such as silver or palladium. Like yellow gold, white gold is measured in carats. Its properties vary depending on the metals and proportions used. As a result, white gold alloys can be used for different purposes; while a nickel alloy is hard, strong and therefore good for rings and pins, white gold-palladium alloys are soft, pliable and great for white gold gemstone settings. Skin irritation Although nickel was traditionally used in white gold, it can cause skin reactions. Now white gold is commonly made with other white metals. Some people (about 12.5%) are sensitive or allergic to white gold. This occurs because of reaction to nickel found in some white gold alloys. Reactions are mild and only involve skin rashes. Rhodium is a hard silvery white and durable metal that has a high reflectance. If slowly cooled from a red hot state it changes in air to the sesquioxide, which at higher temperatures converts back to the metal.
